Ranwella's Spined Tree Frog

Ranwella's Spined Tree Frog

Ranwella’s spined tree frog (Polypedates ranwellai), a unique species has been discovered from Gilimale forest reserve, Ratnapura district. Although we place the new species tentatively in the genus Polypedates it must be emphasized that this is a species showing extreme morphological divergence, especially in the skull, from other representatives of this genus.The species is a new species discovered through Dilmah Conservation's 'Novel Species Paving the Way for Biodiversity Conservation' programme.

The frog was named after late Dr. Sanjeewa Ranwella in honor of his exceptional dedication towards wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka. Sadly the locality of this new, rare endemic amphibian is one of the least protected in the island and the survival of this newly discovered species is highly threatened.

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name :

Polypedates ranwellai

Kingdom :

Animals

Genus :

Polypedates

Species :

Ranwellai

Quick Facts

Size:

4 to 7 cm

Diet:

Other

Locations:

Sri Lanka

Conservation Status:

Critically Endangered

Physical Description

This tree frog is the only tree frog characterised by unique osteological characteristics in the skull which distinguish it from all other congeners, such as the presence of a series of maxillary teeth progressively changing orientation from horizontal to vertical from posterior end to anterior; a laterally-curved spine in the quadratojugal bone; and bony co-ossification on the skull resulting in four dorsal spines which are externally seen as protrusions in the parietal area.

Biology

Very little is yet known about the biology of these endangered species, the species is believed to consume insects and other small invertebrates.

Habitat and Distribution

To date this species has only been recorded from the Gilimale forest reserve (Lowland rainforest) in the Sabaragamuwa province. P. rawellai is found in forest edges with an open canopy.

The new species was found in an area of about 5km2 of the Gilimale lowland rainforest in the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. They were commonly found near forest edges with an open canopy for as four times as greater in number than in the closed canopy forest.

Threats and Conservation

Forest fragmentation has become the major threat in this area due to the fast rate of deforestation. Forest patches are also being cleared and converted to small tea plantations. Apart from logging, and hazardous activities such as gem mining, sand mining, use of agro chemicals, cutting down and setting fires in the forest edge are also posing threats.

All these continued harmful anthropogenic activities as a result pose other harmful effects such as drying out of water bodies, and soil erosion.

Also the Sri Lankan government’s proposed development project which includes the construction of a dam across the main river – Kalu Ganga, flooding a large area which also includes the Gilimale reserve, will completely wipe off the only known population of Polypedates ranwellai from the island.

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